Adams Ousted from Playoffs in Heartbreaking 27-21 Loss to Port Huron

The Highlanders (7-4) were eliminated by the Port Huron Big Reds (10-1) in a 27-21 loss on the road during Round Two of the playoffs.

Three straight flags started the game – all false starts on the Highlander offense and Big Red defense. 

It was a sign of things to come from the referee crew who called numerous penalties on the Highlander team. 

Most penalties were false starts caused by a noisy Big Red fan base, and many came on crucial plays, including what would have been a lead-recapturing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Adams head coach Tony Patritto summed it up, saying it was "the worst game they played all year."

Best Play:  Adams head coach Tony Patritto called a passing play on fourth-and-10 in the first half, which Annese converted by an unbelievable one-handed catch by Jack Twitty.

Annese scored his second of three touchdowns two plays later.

Worst Play:  Annese couldn’t duplicate his successful 2-minute drill at the end of the first half and overthrew a ball with 1:42 left to play, resulting in a turnover on downs for the final Highlanders possession.

Turning Point: The Big Red defense stopped Annese inches from the endzone on fourth down, giving them the ball with under eight minutes left in the game.  Port Huron quarterback Mark Chapman quickly converted a touchdown, giving the Big Reds a 27-21 lead.

Highlanders Recap

Annese scored a total of twelve touchdowns in the final three games and broke the all-time career rushing record at Adams High School. Annese will play football at Central Michigan University next fall. 

The Highlanders offense isn’t dependent on Annese, who credits his offensive line for giving him the opportunity to succeed and is clutch at breaking out a long touchdown when you least expect it.

David Jagow was the “go-to” running back when yards were a must, and he always converted.

Ben Hart, Jack Twitty, Kyle Pelayo and Andrew McBride consistently made catches for huge gains and almost never dropped a pass.

Mike Fisher was the cornerstone of the Highlander’s defensive front, with Annese playing safety and often coming up with an interception.

When Annese was injured, Corey Clemons stepped in as quarterback and led what was almost the comeback of the year against the Clarkston Wolves (the Highlanders were later ).

When Ryan Cesiel wasn’t nailing extra points, he was keeping his leg warm on the sideline by practicing.

The Highlanders will get their receiving core back next season with the exception of Pelayo; the rest will have played their last game of high school football.